NEW DELHI: Devdutt Padikkal’s alertness gave KL Rahul a second chance during India’s second innings in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Tuesday. India had lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early, with Asitha Fernando getting him caught behind with the third ball of the first over. But Rahul and Padikkal then steadied the innings and added 59 runs to take India’s lead to 237.
Padikkal convinces KL Rahul to review
KL Rahul looked set to walk back when Prabath Jayasuriya trapped him on the back pad in the 11th over. The ball came in with the arm and KL Rahul was beaten on the inside edge before being hit on the back pad. The decision looked plumb to the naked eye.KL Rahul was not confident about taking the review and was almost walking back. But Padikkal quickly asked him to review the decision.It turned out to be a crucial call.The replays showed there was no bat involved and the impact was in line. However, the ball was going over the stumps, meaning the on-field decision was overturned.KL Rahul looked relieved and gave Padikkal a big hug, thanking his partner for convincing him to take the review.
KL Rahul, Padikkal build another 50-run stand
The pair had already put together a 50-plus partnership in the innings, adding to a rare list of Indian opening and top-order pairs who have managed 50-plus stands in both innings of a Test in Sri Lanka.Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das did it in Colombo in 2001, while Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir achieved the feat in Galle and Colombo in 2008. VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina also did it in Colombo in 2010.Rahul and Padikkal became the latest Indian pair to join the list in Galle in 2026.
KL Rahul eventually falls for 35
KL Rahul could not make the most of his second chance, though. He was eventually dismissed for 35 off 47 balls, with two fours and two sixes.Jayasuriya got his revenge when Rahul stepped down the track and tried to loft the ball over mid-on. The bat twisted at impact and the ball went towards deepish mid-off, where substitute fielder Milan Rathnayake took a safe catch.
